Metromile vs. Root: Which is Better for You?

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Metromile or Root Insurance: Which company is best for you?

Comparing Root and Metromile car insurance is tricky: both of these carriers provides usage-based auto insurance that caters to infrequent or occasional drivers. Root Car Insurance — based in Colombus, Ohio — is a relative newcomer to the insurance space, having been founded in 2016. Metromile, founded in California in 2011, is Root's predecessor. Both of these companies derive premiums from mileage totals and rely upon technology to complement their pricing strategies: Root uses a mobile app, while Metromile has a telematics discount option. Compare Metromile and Root to decide which of these next-wave auto insurance options is right for you. 

Discount Comparison Metromile Root Insurance
Good Student
Multiple Policies
Multiple Vehicles supported
Anti-Theft Device(s)
Anti-Lock Brake System
Air Bags
Good Driver supported supported
Defensive Driver
Student Away at School
Driver Training
Green Vehicles
Affinity Membership Alum
Advanced Purchase
Pay in Full
Home Owner
eSign or ePay
Telematics supported supported
New Vehicle
Annual Mileage supported supported
Military
Ratings Comparison Metromile Root Insurance
Financial Strength Question mark icon N/A N/A
JD Power Rankings Question mark icon N/A N/A
User Satisfaction Question mark icon N/A N/A
Other Products Metromile Root Insurance
Boat Insurance
Condo Insurance
Life Insurance
Homeowners Insurance supported
Travel Trailer Insurance
Renters Insurance supported
RV Insurance
Motorcycle Insurance
Mobile Home Insurance
Other Features Metromile Root Insurance
About Metromile offers pay per mile car insurance that is ideal for people who don't drive a lot. You'll pay a low monthly rate, plus a charge based on the actual miles you drive. So if you don’t drive a lot, you can save a lot on car insurance. You can customize your coverage and select from the same options you're used to. Then, you'll plug in a small device into your car that counts your miles and lets you know what’s going on with your car at all times. At the end of the month, your bill will be a total of your base rate plus the number of miles you drive, so it can vary each month depending on how much you drive. Plus, you don’t have to worry about going “over” on miles. If you reach 250 miles (or 150 for New Jersey drivers) in one day, you won’t be charged for any more miles that day. Root Car Insurance offers "car insurance for the way you drive." Its usage-based pricing model uses data gathered via telematics devices to price premiums based on mileage and driving habits, rather then demographic information.
Roadside Assistance Metromile offers roadside assistance as an additional add-on to your insurance policy. This is designed to cover things like flat tires, being locked out of your vehicle, and immovable vehicles. Root Car Insurance offers roadside assistance with every policy.
Additional Discounts Metromile's primary additional benefit is that it caters to low-mileage or occasional drivers. For this reason, Metromile is a perfect fit for city drivers. Root Car Insurance provides usage-based discounts based on driving behavior and mileage.
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